Linda Galok, Pittsfield, MAMember Since February 2009Artist Statement I first picked up a camera in self defense. I’d been unsuccessfully avoiding my mother’s Brownie since I’d learned to crawl away from her, and when I realized how many shoeboxes of blackmail material she had under her bed, I knew I needed some ammunition of my own.

She was more successful in avoiding the camera than I’d ever been, so I eventually gave up and started taking pictures of whatever caught my eye. My daughter once asked if I’d like to take a picture of her doorknob. In all fairness, I was taking pictures of her thermostat at the time. Portraits are my favorites, but it’s so rare that people can pose naturally for the camera (or that they want to) I don’t have many in my collection yet. I love landscapes and old buildings and am always searching for fresh angles if it blooms, barks or flies. I’m addicted to light, shadow, reflection and color and practice speed shooting from the back of a Harley (thank goodness for digital). The whole first year was a blur (literally), but still shots are now much easier and have produced some amazing results (even if I do say so myself).

When I don’t have a camera in my hand or hanging around my neck, I read instead of cleaning my house, cook as infrequently as I can get away with it, and try to find something to laugh about every single day. I'd rather write than speak because editing my mouth is a skill I never mastered, and I believe I’m a photo-aholic because it's the only way I can focus.

Thank you for looking through my gallery, and I hope you’ll stop back often – you are, after all, my creative motivation. ♥